50 m breast Breaststroke
30+ Classes
StartIn-water start
HeatsSeeded by entry time
DayThu 20 January
50 mDistance
2Lengths
1Day
MedalsThursday 20 January
20–23 January 2028Pajulahti · Lake PoolRegistration opens 9 Nov 2026
Winter Swimming
Ice water. Warm sauna. Pure Finland.
Register from 9 November →See the programme
Sprint races in a 25 m pool on the frozen lake, with saunas on the shore. Open to everyone. Entry is 225 €, up to three sports.
5
Medal events
4
Race days
25 m
Lake Pool, 6 lanes
30+
Five-year classes
Registration opens in
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days day
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hours hour
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min min
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sec sec
Winter Swimming at a glance
Five races. One ice pool.
25 m and 50 m in Breaststroke and Freestyle, and Mixed Relay 4 × 25 m to close the water sport in Winter World Masters Games. Short, cold and unforgettable, with four saunas steps from the water.
Host city
Lahti
Pajulahti, 20 km east
Venue
Lake Pool, Pajulahti
25 m · 6 lanes · 4 saunas
Dates
20–23 Jan 2028
One race a day
Breaststroke
50 m · 25 m
Thu 20 · Sat 22
Freestyle
50 m · 25 m
Fri 21 · Sun 23
Mixed Relay
4 × 25 m
Breaststroke + Freestyle · Sun 23
Rules
Adabted from IWSA
Classes
W/M 30 to 90+
Five-year classes
Entry
225 €
Up to 3 sports
The events
Pick your races.
One race a day over four days. Heats are seeded by your entry time, medals go by age class.
50 m free Freestyle
30+ Classes
StartIn-water start
HeatsSeeded by entry time
DayFri 21 January
50 mDistance
2Lengths
1Day
MedalsFriday 21 January
25 m sprints Breaststroke · freestyle
30+ Classes
BreaststrokeSat 22 January
FreestyleSun 23 January
StartIn-water start, seeded heats
25 mDistance
2Races
2Days
MedalsSaturday 22 and Sunday 23 January
Mixed Relay 4 × 25 Breaststroke + freestyle
Team
TeamFour swimmers, breastsroke + freestyle
ClassMixed, both genders represented by IWSA rules
DaySun 23 January
4Swimmers
25 mPer leg
1Relay per swimmer
MedalsSunday 23 January
The 200 m and longer endurance distances are not part of the 2028 programme. The water temperature class follows the IWSA rules on the day.
Programme
Four days by the lake.
One race a day in the second half of the Games. Swim in the morning, sauna after, and the celebrations in the evening.
Winter Swimming in the 10 Games days
14.1.
15.1.
16.1.
17.1.
18.1.
19.1.
20.1.
21.1.
22.1.
23.1.
GamesTrainingCeremonies, free
| Day | Programme | Also on |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 14 JanDAY 0 | — | Opening Ceremony Lahti Sports Center |
| Sat 15 JanDAY 1 | — | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Sun 16 JanDAY 2 | — | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Mon 17 JanDAY 3 | — | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Tue 18 JanDAY 4 | — | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Wed 19 JanDAY 5 | — | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Thu 20 JanDAY 6 | 50 m BS · 50 m breaststroke Pajulahti | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Fri 21 JanDAY 7 | 50 m FS · 50 m freestyle Pajulahti | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Sat 22 JanDAY 8 | 25 m BS · 25 m breaststroke Pajulahti | Winner’s Celebration · medals and social night Masters Hub |
| Sun 23 JanDAY 9 | 25 m FS / Relays · 25 m Freestyle · Relays 4 × 25 m Pajulahti | Farewell Party Lahti Sports Center |
Start
In the water
Every race starts in the water on the signal.
Heats
By seed time
Give your best time with your entry. Heats are seeded, medals go by age class.
Saunas
On the shore
Four saunas and four changing rooms by the Lake Pool.
Programme status October 2026. Preliminary, subject to entries and the final start lists. Sport dates are confirmed before registration opens.
How it is swum
IWSA rules. Finnish water.
The races follow the International Winter Swimming Association rules with the WWMG special regulations on top. What matters in the water:
A 25 m pool on the lake, saunas on the shore.
Start
In-water start on the signal, one swimmer per lane.
Strokes
Breaststroke and freestyle, 25 m and 50 m.
Heats
Seeded by entry time. Ranking by time across all heats, medals by age class.
Water
Water temperature classes follow the IWSA rules.
Mixed Relay
Four swimmers, breaststroke and freestyle legs. Both genders represented.
Kit
Swimsuit, cap and goggles, per the IWSA rules.
Safety
Water safety and first aid arrangements are set out in the regulations and the venue guide.
Fair play
WMS anti-doping rules apply. Every athlete is responsible for their own health check and accident and travel insurance.
Entry & price
225 €. Up to three sports.
One fee for the whole Games. Enter Winter Swimming and add up to two more sports on the same registration, schedule permitting, at no extra fee.
Game entry225 €per athlete, VAT 13.5 % included
2nd and 3rd sport0 €on the same entry, schedule permitting
Good to knowWinter Swimming counts as one of your three sports. The fee rises in steps after the opening window. No early-bird discount.
Register from 9 November→
- Pre-registration — closedFree, not binding. Pre-registered athletes get the first week of registration before everyone else.
- Register and pay — from 9 November 2026Create your account, add Winter Swimming to the basket and pay. Add up to two more sports on the same entry.
- Pick your eventsChoose your events inside the sport. You can change them from your own page until entries close.
- Your entry is confirmedConfirm your health declaration and give your seed times. Your entry is confirmed straight away.
- Race day — from 20 January 2028Check in at the Lake Pool, warm up, sauna, and your first race.
Opens2 November 2026Pre-registration list. First come, first served.
Closes14 Jan 2028
Late entriesUntil 14 January 2028Late entries are accepted at progressively higher fees.
What is included
One registration. The whole Games.
The same package in every sport.
- Competition entryYour events and the official training
- AccreditationAthlete pass for the whole Games period
- Welcome packageCollected at the Games Centre in Lahti, transit card included
- Opening and Farewell Ceremony14 and 23 January, also open for your companions
- Medal ceremoniesAt the Winner's Celebration in Lahti
- Timing & resultsOfficial results online
- Transport ratesLocal transport at WWMG rates with your transit card
Extra services, photos and evening tickets are sold as add-ons in the shop. Full list of what every registration includes.
Venue
The Lake Pool at Pajulahti.
Winter swimming races in the Lake Pool at Pajulahti, 20 km east of Lahti: a 25 m, six-lane pool on the lake, with four saunas and changing rooms on the shore.
Lake Pool · PajulahtiPajulahtiA sports centre by the lake, built for training camps, events and wellness holidays.
Accommodation, restaurants and saunas are on site. Curling plays at Pajulahti the same week.
The Masters Hub in Lahti and the evening celebrations are a short shuttle ride away.
Pool25 m · 6 lanes
Saunas4, on the shore
From Lahti≈ 20 km · 25 min
StayOn site or in Lahti
Host cityLahtiGames Centre, Opening Ceremony, Masters Village and the Winner's Celebration every night.Lahti host city page →VenueKolme Kampusta, PajulahtiSports centre by the lake: stay, eat and sauna on site.kolmekampusta ↗
BookOfficial accommodation & transportReserved Games inventory in Lahti and the region. Airport transfers and the Games Mobility Pass.Host City Marketplace →
Downloads
Files for your race.
Everything you need before you enter, in one place. Files are updated here, and the version date is on the first page of every file.
- PDF Winter Swimming invitation and sport InfromationEvents, age classes, eligibility, rules, entry limits. Version October 2026. download
- PDF Venue guide · Pajulahti Lake PoolGetting there, layout, warm-up, food, spectators and the shuttle timetable. Autumn 2027
- PDF Athlete information sheet · Games timeDaily practical information during the Games. Published in January 2028. Jan 2028
- T&C General terms and conditionsRegistration, cancellation, refunds, late fee and insurance for all sports. Read
Questions about winter swimming?Write to the winter swimming team:
[email protected]
Put "Winter Swimming" in the subject line and the sport team answers within a few days.
Winter Swimming FAQ
Before you enter.
The questions winter swimmers ask us most. General Games questions are in the main FAQ.
Is there a health check?
You confirm your health and accept the waiver when you register. Your health is your own responsibility, as at any masters event. If you are unsure, see your doctor before you train for January.
How cold is the water?
Close to freezing. The temperature class is set on the day under the IWSA rules. Four saunas and changing rooms are steps from the pool.
How many races can I swim?
All five if you want: one race a day, plus the relay on Sunday 23 January.
Do I need to be a club member?
No. Winter Trail Run and Winter Swimming is open to everyone aged 30 or older. Club membership is recommended, not required.
What do I wear?
Swimsuit, cap and goggles, per the IWSA rules. Warm clothes and slippers for the walk to the sauna.
Is there a 200 m?
No. The 200 m and longer distances are not part of the 2028 programme.
Where do I warm up?
Four saunas and four changing rooms are on the shore, steps from the pool.
How does the relay work?
Mixed Relay, four swimmers, breaststroke and freestyle legs. Both gender represented per the IWSA rules.
No questions match that filter.
Next
Not only winter swimming?
All sports Add a second sport Fourteen winter sports in ten days. Up to three sports on one entry. See all sports→
Host cities Lahti, Heinola, Levi Where to stay, how to get around and what happens every evening. Host cities→
Registration Get in first Pre-registration has closed. Registration opens for everyone on 9 November 2026. Registration starts 9 Nov→
Host City
Lahti
Masters Hub, ceremonies
Venue
Pajulahti
6 lanes in Lake Pool
Dates
20-23 Jan 2028